How many graphemes are there in the word "queen"?

The word "queen" contains three graphemes, which are the smallest units of writing that correspond to a phoneme in the spoken language. In this case, the graphemes are represented by the letters 'q', 'u', and 'e', which together capture the unique sounds of the word.

Here is the breakdown:

1. The letter 'q' represents its own phoneme /kw/.

2. The letter combination 'ue' represents one single phoneme /u:/.

3. The letter 'n' represents the phoneme /n/.

Together, these make up the different graphemes in the word "queen." It is important to note that while 'e' appears in the spelling, it does not represent an additional distinct phoneme as it is silent in this case, and thus does not contribute to the count of graphemes.

This analysis highlights the distinction between letters and graphemes, particularly in cases where multiple letters work together to represent a single sound. Understanding this concept is crucial in the field of literacy and phonetics.